It's been another busy week off the field, with the Titans active in the transfer market and plenty happening at the Panthers, Raiders and Roosters. Here is the wrap.
Penrith set to hold star as teammateโs future becomes uncertain
Theย Penrith Panthersย have claimed they are confident of holding onto gun Fijian second-rowerย Viliame Kikau.
CEO Brian Fletcher toldย Sky Sports Radio'sย Big Sports Breakfast on Monday morning that Kikau was likely to say, however, his comments will leave star hooker Apisai MKoroisau concerned about his future at the club.
READ MORE: Mixed feelings surround future of Panthers star duoย
Roosters announce two signings for 2022
Theย Sydney Roostersย have locked in two signings for 2022, withย Renouf Atoniย to join the club, andย Naufahu Whyteย being granted a contract extension by the club.
Atoni joins the club on a two-year deal, while Whyte's contract will also see him stay at Bondi until at least the end of the 2023 season.
READ MORE: Atoni, Whyte head to Bondiย
Broncos snare Raider as green machine move two
Theย Brisbane Broncosย have confirmed the signing ofย Ryan Jamesย for 2022, while the Raiders have also reportedly confirmed Dunamis Luoi won't be offered a new deal.
The pair of experienced forwards have had indifferent seasons, with James only joining the Raiders ahead of the 2021 season after spending time at theย Gold Coast Titans.
FULL STORY: James heads to Broncos, Lui not offered new deal
Penrith duo set to be squeezed out as salary cap bites
Theย Penrith Panthersย are reportedly at risk of losing young duoย Charlie Stainesย andย Spencer Leniu.
It's understood the Panthers' salary cap situation for 2022 and beyond is dire, and clubs are circling for the duo.
The Daily Telegraphย are reporting the Panthers still have five spots to fill for 2022, and that theย price tag of Staines and Leniu - who are both on roughly $300,000 - could be too much for the club to handle.
READ MORE: Penrith young guns at risk of cap squeezeย
Roosters confirm five departures leaving future of two in the balance
Theย Sydney Roostersย have confirmed five players will leave the club at the end of the 2021 season.
All five were already known, withย Brett Morris,ย Josh Morris,ย Boyd Cordnerย andย Jake Friendย all going into retirement, whileย Isaac Liuย will join theย Gold Coast Titansย on a new contract.
Both Matt Ikuvalu andย Dale Copleyย are still off-contract heading into the 2022 season, with the pair of outside backs the only two players yet to have their futures addressed by the Bondi club.
FULL STORY: Chooks duo hanging on as club confirms departuresย
Eels part ways with quartet of names
Parramatta have announced the departures ofย Blake Ferguson,ย Joey Lussick,ย Michael Oldfieldย and Sam Hughes from the club.
Via anย official statementย released on Wednesday afternoon, Eels General Manager of Football Mark O'Neill paid thanks to the efforts of the quartet during their stints in for the Bankwest side.
READ MORE: Five Eels leave blue and gold army
FIVE potential options to play halfback at the Raiders
Theย Canberra Raidersย need a new halfback if they are to go to the next level in 2022.
George Williams' departure left the club in all sorts of trouble throughout 2021, and while some will say it's slim pickings, the Raiders have some excellent options off-contract or likely to be available.
We name the top five options to head to the nation's capital.
FIVE IDEAL HALFBACKS FOR CANBERRA
Storm star speaks out about future contract after meeting with rival club
Melbourne Stormย starย Brandon Smithย has spoken out about future, claiming it would be "virtually impossible" to say no to the Storm.
Smith is one of the game's most hotly-chased signatures, with clubs reportedly lining up to talk to Smith when he is free to begin negotiations from November 1.
Off-contract at the end of the 2022 season, the Storm are reportedly desperate to hang onto the star hooker and lock.
According toย The Daily Telegraphย theย club have offered the Kiwi an extensionย until the end of the 2025 season.
READ MORE: Smith tipped to remain in Victoria
Eels turn attention to retention ahead of contract crunch
Theย Parramatta Eelsย are reportedly beginning to sort out their contract situation for 2023.
It has previously been reported that the blue and gold would face something of a contract crunch heading into the 2023 season, with plenty of off-contract stars likely to be in line for upgrades.
The full list of off-contract players for 2022 isย Jakob Arthur,ย Haze Dunster,ย Wiremu Greig,ย Clint Gutherson,ย Oregon Kaufusi,ย Reed Mahoney,ย Ryan Matterson,ย Marata Niukore,ย Tom Opacic, Isaiah Papali'i,ย Junior Paulo,ย Hayze Perham,ย Maika Sivoย andย Ray Stone.
READ MORE: Key calls to be made at Parramattaย
Ex-Titansโ playmaker wonโt be Brisbane bound
Theย Brisbane Broncosย have reportedly withdrawn any interest they held signing ex-Titanย Tyrone Peachey, per reports fromย The Daily Telegraph.
The news come in the wake of Peachey'sย seismic contract demandsย that were set before any potential suitors ahead of next season.
As was reported last week, the 30-year-old playmaker was said to be seeking a four-year deal worth around $450,000 per annum to remain in the league.
FULL STORY: Broncos and Pechey talks cool off
Conflicting reports emerge on Fogartyโs future
Gold Coast Titans' co-captainย Jamal Fogartyย has been linked with a shock move to theย Canberra Raiders.
Despite only signing a contract extension earlier this year, tying him to the south east corner ofย Queenslandย until at least the end of 2023, the Raiders are said to be keen on the consistent half.
First reported by Pete Badel of theย Courier Mail, Fogarty paints an intriguing target for the green machine.
Conflicting reports have since emerged however, suggesting the Titans are unlikely to grant their co-captain an early release.
FULL STORY: Skies unclear on future of contracted Titans half
Titans set to lock gun forward in on long-term mega payday
It was only a week ago gunย Queenslandย Origin forward Tino Fa'asuamaleaui spoke of his desire to stay at theย Gold Coast Titans, and now it appears the club are going to dish out the big dollars to keep their star.
The young gun, who shifted from theย Melbourne Stormย ahead of the 2021 season, has had a phenomenal season on the Gold Coast.
READ MORE: Tino hoping to remain a Titan for life
Raiders shown the door on another half
Theย Canberra Raidersย have reportedly made an approach forย New Zealand Warriors' halfย Chanel Harris-Tavita, only to have the door slammed shut.
While he has struggled for game time between various injuries this season, Harris-Tavita is still on contract into 2022 with the Warriors.
That being said, there has been plenty of speculation out of the Warriors' camp surrounding the future of their own halves.
READ MORE: Line put through Raiders' move for CHT
Contracted Warriors forward reportedly on offer abroad
The services of Warriors propย Kane Evansย are understood to be on offer toย Super Leagueย clubs, according to theย Yorkshire Examiner.
Evans first joined the Warriors from Parramatta on a two-year deal, with the 29-year-old contracted to the Auckland-based club until the end of next season.
The Fijian international will be able to speak with other clubs from November 1, however there is belief the Warriors could release Evans prior to the conclusion of his current deal and even pay a percentage of his next contract in order to land an agreement.
FULL STORY: Evans on offer to Super League sidesย
Titans and Raiders swap deal seen as win-win scenario
A playmaker swap deal between the Titans and Raiders could be the win-win scenario both clubs are chasing to strengthen their finals contention for 2022.
According toย News Corp'sย Brent Read, "internal talks" at both Gold Coast and Canberra surrounding the futures ofย Jamal Fogartyย andย Josh Hodgsonย have reportedly taken place.
Fogarty's future has been highly speculated this past week, withย conflicting reportsย suggesting the Titans co-captain has been linked to the Raiders, while the Titans aren't keen to release the 27-year-old to the nation's capital.
READ MORE: Hodgson for Fogarty: Who says no?
Cowboys boosted after signing Fijian flyers
The Cowboys' stocks have been bolstered by the signings of a pair of Fiji's Rugby Sevens stars for next season.
Iosefo Masikau and Taniela Sadrugu have agreed to terms with the Townsville side and will join their new teammates in November in an attempt to aid the club's return to the finals in 2022.
READ MORE: Fijian duo heading to Townsville
